Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $2,003,479 million (2012 U.S. Department of Commerce)
Key Industries: Agriculture including dairy products, almonds, grapes, tomatoes, avocados, and broccoli
Computers, electronics, food processing, paper, mining, movie production, and tourism
How California got its name: California was named by Spanish explorers who thought they had discovered an island. The name comes from the Spanish story of Queen Califia who ruled a mythical island.
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California State Symbols
State Nickname: Golden State
State Slogan: Find Yourself Here
State Motto: Eureka (I have found it)
State flower: California Poppy
State bird: California Quail
State fish: Golden trout (fresh water), Garibaldi (salt water)
State tree: California Redwood
State mammal: Grizzly bear, Gray whale
State foods: Wine
Becoming a State
Date admitted: Monday, September 9, 1850
Number admitted: 31
Prior Name: Mexican Cession, Alta California
Postal Abbreviation: CA
The Geography of California
Total Size: 155,959 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
Geographical Low Point: Death Valley at -282 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Inyo (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Geographical High Point: Mt. Whitney at 14,494 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Inyo-Tulare (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Central Point: Located in Madera County approx. 38 miles east of Madera (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Counties: 58 (source: National Association of Counties)
Bodies of Water: Salton Sea, Lake Tahoe, Goose Lake, Mono Lake, Lake Shasta, Sacramento River, San Joaquin River, Colorado River, Pit River, Feather River, San Francisco Bay, Pacific Ocean
